Barnum to tour next year – with lead casting revealed

Exclusive: Barnum will be touring the UK from February 2026, and lead casting has been revealed.

The musical, which shines a spotlight on the life and times of P T Barnum, features music by Cy Coleman, lyrics by Michael Stewart and a book by Mark Bramble. Presented by Bill Kenwright Ltd, the production will be once more directed by Jonathan O’Boyle and choreographed by Oti Mabuse after the pair revived the show at the Watermill Theatre last year. 

The show features such classic show tunes as “Join the Circus”, “Colours of My Life”, “Come Follow the Band”, and “Love Makes Such Fools of Us All”.

Joining O’Boyle and Mabuse in the creative team are Lee Newby (set and costume designer), Jai Morjaria (lighting designer), Tom Marshall (sound designer), George Dyer (musical supervisor, arrangements and orchestrations), Amy Panter (circus director), Matt Nicholson (associate choreographer) and Nick Lodge (associate sound designer).

Starring as P T Barnum will be stage and screen favourite Lee Mead. The musical mounted its UK premiere at The London Palladium in 1981, with Michael Crawford famously playing the lead role and walking the tightrope at every performance in front of a live audience. Press materials promise the same experience with Mead.

Additional casting will be announced at a later date, while tickets will start going on sale for select dates tomorrow.

Jenny Seagrove, chairperson at Bill Kenwright Ltd commented: “I was captivated when I saw Barnum at the Watermill Theatre last year and knew immediately that this was a show I wanted to bring to audiences across the country. Our spectacular new staging will feature an extraordinary ensemble cast of over 20 actor-musicians playing 150 instruments, acrobats and amazing international circus acts led by the wonderful Lee Mead playing the title role.”

Find out where the UK tour will be visiting here.